A Word from the Cistercian Fathers for Christmas Day

The Saviour’s coming is indispensable; indispensable is Christ’s presence for people overwhelmed as we are. If only he will so come that, by his superabundant condescension dwelling in us by faith, he may illumine our blindness, help our weakness as he stays with us and protect and defend our frailty as he stands alongside us!

For if he is in us, who could deceive us now? If he is with us, what can we not do in him who strengthens us. If he is alongside us, who can be against us? He is a faithful counselor who can neither be deceived nor deceive. He is a strong helper who does not weary. He is a powerful protector who speedily crushes Satan himself beneath our feet, destroying all his stratagems. He is God’s Wisdom, always ready to instruct the ignorant; he is God’s power, reviving those who are flagging, rescuing those in peril.

Let us hasten to this great teacher in every decision. Let us call on this vigorous helper in every task. Let us entrust our lives to the faithful defender in every struggle. This is why he came into the world: that, by dwelling in us, with us and alongside us, he might illumine our darkness, lighten our labors and ward off all dangers.